Grammy-winning artist and actor Jill Scott has delivered a powerful critique of narrow beauty standards in a candid new podcast interview, while also sharing intimate memories of her time with the late music icon Prince.
Rejecting Harmful Body Myths
In the latest episode of The Independent's Good Vibrations podcast, Scott directly challenged what she called "ridiculous" myths about attractiveness and body size. The 53-year-old artist dismissed the notion that people don't find curvaceous women appealing as "bulls***", expressing particular admiration for women who walk with confidence and take up space without apology.
"Walking with that level of confidence, taking up space and not apologising for it... they're walking goddesses," Scott declared. "They made a whole era about these women, they're in museums around the world. I love to see it... I love it when I see a confident woman in any shape or size."
Personal Reflections on Media Portrayals
The conversation turned to Scott's role in Tyler Perry's 2007 film Why Did I Get Married?, where her character Sheila loses weight after leaving her husband and is portrayed as undergoing a positive transformation. Scott revealed this portrayal didn't sit well with her personal beliefs about beauty and self-worth.
"It wasn't a good feeling," she admitted about playing the character. "I don't think that Sheila lost so much weight that she became more beautiful. I think that she was already beautiful... and I don't think being marginalised into something is going to benefit you, me, or anybody else."
Scott emphasized that true beauty encompasses "all of the person: their character, their softness, their strengths", questioning whether someone is curious and willing to learn rather than focusing on physical appearance alone.
Musical Comeback and Collaborations
The interview coincided with Scott's announcement of To Whom This May Concern, her first studio album in a decade. She discussed taking time away from music to focus on raising her son as a single mother, sharing a humorous anecdote about his unwitting celebrity encounter during a White House visit at age six.
Scott revealed an impressive list of collaborators on the new album, including:
- DJ Premier
- Rappers Tierra Whack and JID
- Ab-Soul
- Adam Blackstone
Intimate Memories of Prince
In one of the interview's most revealing segments, Scott shared personal memories of her time with Prince, describing how the music legend followed her "from city to city" for approximately a year. She recalled extended dance sessions that would last for hours, shared meals, and meaningful conversations.
"He was everything," Scott reflected warmly. "He was everything that you think... we had moments where we danced together for four hours or so.... [He was] creative and interesting and very desirous of having meaningful conversation. It was a pleasure to make him laugh."
Personal Growth and Relationship Reflections
Scott also discussed the inspiration behind her recent single "Pressha", revealing that some lyrics were influenced by societal issues while others drew from personal relationship experiences. She recalled dating someone who would "play with my affection" and send mixed signals, acknowledging it took her considerable time to extricate herself from that dynamic.
Years later, upon learning who this person had married, Scott realized "it was never going to be me... it wasn't personal", demonstrating her growth and perspective on past relationships.
Availability and Release Details
The full episode of Roisin O'Connor's Good Vibrations featuring Jill Scott will be available on all major streaming platforms from Friday 23 January. Scott's new album, To Whom This May Concern, is scheduled for release on 13 February, marking her significant return to music after a decade-long hiatus focused on motherhood and personal development.
